Eolding-seat attachment



Nov. 11 19240 B. L. FIELD FOLDING SEAT ATTACHMENT Filed March 8. 1923 Patented Nov. ll, 1924. 7'

N1 n s'rrss' IBERTRAllTD LINCOLN FIELD, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FOLDING-SEAT ATTACHMENT.

Application filled March 8,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BERTRAND L. FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding- Seat Attachments; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will-enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved do vice which can be conveniently termed a folding seat attachment, the same biaingespecially,.but not necessarily, adapted for connection -to seat-boards such as are commonly used in stadium grandstands, circus tents and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to generally improve upon inventions of this class by providing one of extreme simplicity and durability which is such in construction that it can be readily and effectively connected with seat-boards.

More specifically speaking, it is another object of the invention to provide a unique attachment of the class stated wherein the same is composed of a pair of frames, one

of which is adapted to extend crosswise of the upper side of the seat-board and the other one of which is adapted to extend vertically therefrom to provide a backrest, these two frames being pivotally connected and the first named frame serving to confine a cushion between its arms.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the construction outlined, wherein the. backrest has a plate connecting its arms together to brace the latter, this plate serving to support the interme diate portion of the persons back and being especially adapted to have advertising matter'inscribed or otherwise placed on its back face for familiarizing the occupants with different kinds of articles and merchandise.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the type specified wherein the two frames are each formed from a pliable metal rod bent into U-shape, the arms of one frame being coiled to pro.- vide bearings and. the arms of the other frame being bent to formstops, and there being means carried by the last named frame and rotatable in the bearings for pivotally connecting the two frames together.

Other objects and advantages of the in 1923. Serial No. 623,741.

vention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a seatboard attachment constructed in accordance with this invention, showing the same in use.

Figure 2 is a section thereof.

Figure 3 is a central vertical section taken substantially on-the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig.2.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation of the attachment.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the invention, it is desired to pointgout that the specific attachment hereinbefore briefly referred to is especially adapted to be applied to seat-boards such as are found in the grandstands of baseball parks, foot ball stadiums and in circus tent bleachers. The invention is not however to be restricted to this particular application, for it is equally well usable on stools, stepped platforms and other types of seats.

In carrying out the invention, I preferably employ a pair of frames 1 and 2, each ofwhich is formed from a metal rod bent into substantial U-shape. The first named frame 1 may be conveniently designated as a cushion confining frame, and in practice, this frame is adapted to extend transversely across the upper face of the seat-board B.

In order to assist in maintaining the frame,

1 in operative position, .the portions of the arms adjacent the bight portion 4 are bent downwardly and inwardly as shown at 3 to form a hook to take over the adjacent edge of the seat-board. As before stated, this frame is particularly adapted for holding the cushion C in place if the occupant desires to use one. As shown, the cushion is confined between thespaced arms of the frame. As seen in the drawings, the arms of this frame adjacent their free ends are coiled as at 5 to form bearings and the free extremities of the arms are bent at right angles to the main portions of the arms so that they extend inwardly toward each other as indicated at 6. V

The other frame 2 of the device constitutes a back-rest and the bight portion 7 thereof is bowed as shown to conform more or less to the occupants back. The free extremities of the arms of the back-rest are bent laterally as at 8 to provide stops which engage the inwardly directed portions 6 of the first named frame. As is obvious, the stops serve to limit the rearward swinging movement of the back-rest. For the purpose of connecting the frame 2 with the other frame 1, a rod or cross-brace 9 is employed and is secured in any appropriate way to the intermediate portions of the hoops on the arms of the frame 2 and the ends of this rod extend beyond the arms and are rotatably received in the aforesaid bearings to pivotally connect. the two frames together. The rod 9 also serves to permit eye-bolts 10 to be connected thereto for the purpose of connecting the device to the board.

Although it is not essential, it is desired to employ a relatively wide curved plate 11 and to connect this at its ends to the intermediate portions of the arms of the backrest, it being one function of this plate to serve to assure the occupant greater comfort by supporting the intermediate portion of his back. Another function of this plate however, is to permit advertising matter to be inscribed on its rear face for the purpose of advertising different kinds of goods and merchandise to the spectators. The advertising matter could well be inscribed on the back of the plate 11 or special holders (not shown) could be supplied for the purpose i i removably supporting labels, tags or the In practice, the frame 1 is placed against the upper side of the seat-board and the eyebolts are connected with the latter at a point so that when the frame is swung down, the hooked front end thereof. will snap over the adjacent edge of the board to prevent displacement of the frame. Then, the frame 2 is swung up to a vertical position to form a support for the occupants back. However, when the seat is not occupied, the last Lemme named frame can be swung downwardly in between the arms of the first named frame to render the device compact. If desired,

- the occupant can be supplied with a cushion which can well be held between the arms of the frame 1 against side slipping and held by the back-rest against rearward slipping.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that I have evolved and produced a unique seat attachment which is not only practical and comfortable, but is extremely inexpensive to both the manufacturer and the user. The particular construction employed is no doubt novel over previously known devices of thisclass and is indeed regarded as advantageous thereover.

Since probably the best results may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein shown and described, this is taken as the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, I wish it to be understood that minor changes coming within the scope of the invention as claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

An attachment for seat-boards comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped frames,

each one being formed from a single length of pliable metal rod bent to assume the shape named, one frame being adapted to extend transversely across the upper side of the board, the arms of this frame being equipped with opposed bearings and the extremities of the arms being directed inwardly toward each other to rest on the board, the other frame constituting a back-rest and having the lower ends of its arms bent to form hooks, the extremities of which provide upwardly directed stops for engaging the aforesaid inturned ends of the first named arms, and a cross brace secured to the intermediate portions of said hooks and having its ends rotatably received in said bearings.

In testimonv whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature. 

